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The mechanism by which we introduce the nonbrowning trait into Arctic® apples is called RNA-interference (RNAi), and as Dr. Steve Savage explains, it’s a common, natural means of gene regulation. Unfortunately, some anti-GMO’ers have a habit of using misleading statements to make any biotech-enhanced product sound scary. A longtime director with the Union of Concerned Scientists, a group that has a prolonged history of opposing ag-biotech, Dr. Margaret Mellon recently published an Op-Ed that suggests the use of RNAi raises potential safety concerns. For an overview of Dr. Mellon’s critiques of ag-biotech, we recommend checking out the recording of aRead More

“Simple” might not be the first word you’d associate with biotechnology. But, it fits when it comes to the precise science behind Arctic® apples! Compared to conventional breeding, which has much less predictable results, Arctic® apples are quite simple indeed. Think about the genetic traits we pass on to our children. Perhaps you’d be thrilled if your kids inherited your blue eyes, but not so much if they get your big ears. Well, it often comes down to luck, and just as you can’t choose which traits your children inherit, it’s the same with fruit breeding. You might get a low-browning apple,Read More